The Netherlands and France are strengthening cooperation in the field of digitization, key technologies and making the industry more sustainable. This is laid down in a ‘Pact for Innovation and Sustainable Growth’, which was signed by the Dutch ministers Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate), Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), the French minister Roland Lescure (Industry) and the chairmen of both entrepreneurial umbrella organizations Ingrid Thijssen (VNO-NCW) and Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux (MEDEF).
The pact was signed during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Netherlands. It involves more public-private partnerships between Dutch and French companies, knowledge institutions and governments in areas such as semiconductors, quantum, critical raw materials, sustainable mobility and energy infrastructure. In this way, both countries can continue to lead the way in economic and scientific fields. It is the further elaboration of agreements between the two governments from 2021 and 2022.
Key technologies for innovation and digitization
Both the Netherlands (mission-driven top sector and innovation policy including the National Growth Fund) and France (France 2030 Plan) are focusing on innovation and sustainability as answers to many challenges such as scarcity of raw materials, digitalisation, sustainability and security. In addition to the basis for growth, this is also necessary, for example, to become less economically dependent on countries outside the EU.
The two countries are now leaders in the field of semiconductors such as the development and production of chips (machines) and technologies such as photonics. Brainport Eindhoven and the Grenoble region have therefore agreed to collaborate more and exchange knowledge. In the field of quantum technology, both countries are joining forces by investing in the exchange of knowledge and researchers as well as coaching and financing startups.
